Figure 1.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E^−/− mice with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 deficiency exhibit exacerbated atherosclerosis and premature death. Aortas were dissected from 24- and 52-week-old apoE^−/− mice and apoE^−/−FGF21^−/− (DKO) mice. n=8 in each group. A, En face staining of entire aortas of 24-week-old mice with oil red O. B and C, Cross-sections of aortic sinuses and brachiocephalic arteries of 24-week-old mice, respectively. D and E, Macrophage infiltration and smooth muscle proliferation in aortic sinus as determined by immunostaining for F4/80 and α-actin, respectively. F, Cholesterol ester levels in brachiocephalic arteries (BCA) of 24-week-old mice. G, The surviving rate of apoE^−/− mice (n=20) and DKO mice (n=20) on standard chow was monitored for 18 months. Data are presented as dot plots with the line indicating the median. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for 2-group comparisons (A–F); the survivals of mice were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with the log-rank test (G).